Big Jump Predicted in Use of e-Discovery, CompTIA Survey Reveals

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Organizations will increase their use of electronic discovery, according to new research from CompTIA, the leading trade association for the world’s information technology (IT) industry.

The CompTIA study shows 88 percent of attorneys surveyed expect law firms to engage in e-discovery processes more frequently as more and more cases involve electronic information.

Among more than 650 IT professionals surveyed, 53 percent expect the use of e-discovery within their organizations to increase over the next few years.

E-discovery conventionally refers to the discovery process in civil litigation using electronically stored information. However, many firms routinely engage in data collection and informal investigations related to personnel matters, violations of company policies and security breaches that never involve the legal system but may nonetheless fall under the umbrella of e-discovery.

The CompTIA survey identified situations that most often trigger the use of e-discovery. They include:

Fifty percent of organizations surveyed have already developed an e-discovery strategy, either partial or comprehensive. Another 26 percent indicate that their organization has no official e-discovery strategy but have engaged in e-discovery processes informally. Among organizations that have yet to develop an e-discovery strategy, cost and expertise are cited as the primary reasons.

“Many organizations lack expertise in this emerging area,” said Tim Herbert, vice president, research, CompTIA. “That’s significant because the increasingly connected and digital world in which companies operate means the number of situations calling for e-discovery will only grow.”

Given this rising need for more expertise, more opportunities should exist for IT solution providers with the right skills and expertise.

“IT companies that offer services such as security, data storage and archiving may find opportunities to expand their business and their client base by becoming an e-discovery resource,” said Herbert.

Among the steps IT firms can take to enhance their e-discovery credentials: get employees trained in e-discovery; stay up to date on the regulatory environment; and learn and follow industry best practices for conducting e-discovery.

The CompTIA study E-Discovery Trends and Practices offers insights into current understand e-discovery practices, policies, and training among both IT professionals and attorneys. The online survey was administered during the fourth quarter of 2009 with 665 IT professionals and 271 attorneys participated in the U.S.-based survey. The complete study is available at no cost to CompTIA members who can access the report at www.CompTIA.org or by contacting research@comptia.org.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org or follow CompTIA on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/comptia.

Post navigation

Welcome to the
Software Knowledge Base

Here you will find the latest try-before-you-buy software programs and industry news. There are no dangerous third-party downloads here–every product link goes directly to the site run by the publisher of the software shown. Practice safe downloading–always download ONLY directly from the publisher.
While download sites add wrappers and monetizers to place downloads inside an income-production layer, SoftwareKB isn't a download site, so our links go to the authors and publishers of all products, never to a file. The publisher's site is always the most up-to-date, and is the safest download location.
Read 'Download Safely' to learn what's OK to download, and how to recognize what is NOT SAFE.